HOLMES AND LEE CANCELS SUBSCRIPTION TO NATIONAL POST
By Adnews Staff
Two months after winning a creative assignment from the National Post, Toronto-based advertising agency Holmes & Lee has resigned the account, effective immediately. "We are extremely disappointed because the National Post has an excellent product and some terrific people. In fact, they do not want to close the door on a future relationship, which is encouraging," said John Lee, president of Holmes & Lee. "However, after winning the business, the National Post brought in Garth Drabinsky as a creative marketing consultant. While we have a great deal of respect for Mr. Drabinsky in entertainment, we had extreme differences in advertising." Holmes & Lee won the assignment in late January following an agency competition that included Taxi Advertising & Design and TBWA Chiat/Day. Ron Clark, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the National Post, said Holmes & Lee was hired for a creative assignment which has been completed. The assignment included direct marketing and direct response television, Clark explained. Holmes & Lee focused on the direct marketing and Drabinsky focused on the direct response television, which is currently on air.